Trash Collection

The City of Zion has contracted with Advanced Disposal Services to provide solid waste, recycling and yard waste collection. In order to begin service, you will need to contact City Hall to make arrangements for billing and to obtain a garbage container. You will be billed quarterly for waste service on your water and sewer bill. Your first bill reflects two billing cycles as this service is billed in advance.

Containers

Every dwelling within the city is required to have a 95-gallon refuse cart. These carts must be constructed of rodent proof material, strong, waterproof, and have tight fitting covers. These carts shall have a capacity of not more than 95 gallons, or less than ten gallons, except for city approved refuse containers. These carts can be purchased at City Hall for $50.00. Call (847) 746-4008.

Pickup Days

Solid Waste

The city is divided into 5 separate areas for garbage collection. Garbage must be put out by 5:00 A.M. on the day of your collection.

Recycling

Recycling is picked up on the same day as your normal garbage pickup but must be placed at the curb by 5:00 A.M. that day.

Yard Waste

White Goods

White goods are large appliances such as discarded refrigerators, ranges, water heaters, freezers, air conditioners and humidifiers that cannot be taken to a landfill. Please call Advanced Disposal Services at (847) 623-3870 to schedule a pickup.

Service is delayed one day on holiday weeks when service is normally scheduled on or after a holiday. The holiday schedule applies to: New Years Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Special Pick Up

Additional Items/Bulky Waste

Bulky waste such as discarded furniture is included with your regular refuse collection. Advanced Disposal Services garbage trucks usually operate with only one driver so make sure these items are put out a little at a time, and are reasonable in height and weight for one person to pick up. Carpeting must be bundled in bundles of no more than four feet in length and fifty pounds in weight.

City Pickup (City Clean-up)

If you have a large pile of debris you must arrange for a special pick up by either the City or another waste carrier such as Advanced Disposal Services. The City charges a minimum of $500.00 a load. Pick ups should be pre-paid at City Hall and are scheduled as soon as possible as time permits.

There are three types of "City Clean-Ups" that can be categorized as follows:

Construction debris: Construction debris can be defined as material associated with various types of building applications which have been removed from their original specific use (remodeling) or waste createdby new construction activities. This material is generated either by a homeowner performing construction activity, a contractor working for a homeowner in a remodeling project, or a contractor working new construction.

Domestic debris: Domestic debris is defined as material generated by the occupant of a particular residence which includes, but is not limited to, construction debris, white goods, furniture, clothing, etc. An occupant can be either a homeowner or renter.

Demolition: Demolition, in our case, is defined as the process of razing and removing of an existing structure from a site (i.e. sheds, garages, houses, commercial buildings).

Request for demolition of a specific structure originate from the property owner or the City Building Inspector.

The Building & Zoning Department will continue picking up domestic debris and construction debris only if a homeowner performs the construction activity. We now require all contractors to provide their own means of clean-up and disposal.

The cost to perform a "City Clean-Up" is $500.00 per 5 cubic yard load and shall be paid prior to performing the work. If a property is to be liened for a "City Clean-up" the cost shall be $500.00 per 5 cubic yard load or actual costs, whichever is higher plus a $58.00 lien fee.

Recycling

The quality of material is a fundamental element of recycling. To make material processing efficient and cost effective, please observe these instructions:

Place paper products in paper bags or at the bottom of your bin. Please do not bundle.

Do not place any recyclables in plastic bags.

Rinse all jars, bottles, and cans. Paper that has come into contact with food cannot be recycles.

Break down all boxes. Pieces must be flat and should be no larger than 2' by 2'.

Recycle bins or replacements are available from City Hall for $10.00.

Accepted Items

Newspaper

Green Bottles and Jars

Milk and Water Jugs

Magazines

Brown Bottles and Jars

Laundry Bottles

Catalogs

Clear Bottles and Jars

#1, #2, #3, #4 and #5 Plastic Containers

Junk Mail

Paperboard Boxes

Office Paper

Soda Bottles

Cardboard

School Paper

Aluminum Cans

Telephone Books

Tin and Steel Cans

Hard Cover Books

Paperback Books

Items NOT Accepted:

Plastic Bags

Food Covered Items

Aluminum Siding

Food Waste

Coat Hangers

Fabrics

Waxed Cardboard

Waxed Paper

Dishes

Mirrors

Pots and Pans

Carbon Paper

Window Glass

Ceramics

Paper Towels

Tissue Paper

Pizza Boxes

Paper Plates

Wood

Styrofoam

Broken Glass

Any non-recyclable materials in your bin will be left at the curb. Recycling bins will not be picked up in the alley.

There is no limit to the amount of recyclable materials that may be put out. Residents may put out more than one container with no additional charge.

Yard Waste

Compostable

Yard waste is currently being collected for composting. Compost is a dark, crumbly and earthy smelling form of decomposing organic matter. Composting is the most practical and convenient way to handle your yard waste. In July 1990, all yard waste was banned from Illinois landfills. Yard waste now goes to compost sites.

Yard waste raked or blown illegally into the street will clog storm drains and cause standing water and flooding problems.

Pick Up

All yard waste must be put into approved type paper bags or marked reusable containers clearly marked "yard waste" (stickers are available at City Hall). Proper containers for yard waste are "kraft" type paperbags and 30 gallon plastic or metal garbage cans with holes punched in sides and bottom for drainage.

Yard waste should be placed where your normal garbage is picked up. Yard waste pick up is scheduled to begin around the first of April depending on the weather and continues through the first of December. If you have any questions, please call your Building & Zoning Department at (847) 746-4019.

Other Options

Another option to bagging grass clippings is to leave them on the lawn. After all, lawn care is hard work, and bagging your lawn is one of the most time consuming parts of the job. Since grass clippings make up the majority of yard waste, leaving these clippings on the lawn can save you time and money.

Help the environment. Help your lawn. Grass clippings provide food for your lawn as they decompose. Using grass clippings as mulch in your garden helps control weeds. Grass clippings provide high levels of moisture, reduce water evaporation and promote better growth by keeping the soil temperature cooler.

Successfully recycling grass clippings back into your lawn requires only the kind of attention all lawns should have on a regular basis:

Mow when your grass is dry and 3" to 4" tall.

Use sharp mower blades.

Avoid over-fertilizing your lawn.

Limit the use of lawn chemicals.

Rake your clippings every 3rd mowing and use them as mulch for your garden.

No Burning Ordinance

By ordinance there is no burning allowed in the City of Zion.

Chipper

Please be reminded that the new chipping policy is now in effect.

For residents who trim their own trees, the City of Zion Public Works Department will chip branches twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. Please check the Schedules section for more information.

Professional Tree Service

Keep in mind that if you hire a tree service to cut or trim your trees, they are responsible for taking away the entire tree, including the branches.